She also is working on the emotional
aspects of the diagnosis. Seeing other
women struggling with heart disease has
helped Taunya see she isn’t alone and
helped her to overcome misconceptions
about heart disease.

“Just because you’re young or notoverweight doesn’t mean you can’t havea heart attack,” she said. “You only haveone body so why not treat it well?”Willie E. Lawrence Jr., M.D., aninterventional cardiologist in Kansas City,Missouri, said “a family history of heartdisease can be related to genetics, but itcan also be because of family lifestyle.”But even with a family history, makinghealthy lifestyle changes can make a bigimpact, he said.

A recent study showed the positive
impact of web-based lifestyle counseling, which includes
video clips featuring characters discussing their high blood
pressure diagnosis and efforts to make lifestyle changes, as
well as tools for tracking diet and level of physical activity.

Study participants who used the
counseling reduced their systolic
blood pressure by 10 mmHg — an
effect similar to adding an additional
blood pressure-lowering medication.

Taunya is working to inspire others
to follow her lead. She’s posting
walks and encouraging messages
about good nutrition and health on
social media accounts, including Go
Red Get Fit.

“There are some days that I am
just dragging and don’t want to
walk, but I want people to know
that if you just get started, you’ll find
your attitude changes,” said Taunya.
“Sometimes the hardest thing to do
is walk outside the door.”

Everyone has a reason to livea longer and healthier life.TELL US YOURS.